Randy (right) and Richard way down on Level 31 hosting The Texas 27 Film Vault
Balladeer’s Blog’s fondness for the old Movie Host Shows of long ago has been well established. Sunday was the Fortieth Anniversary of the very first episode of The Texas 27 Film Vault from Saturday, February 9th of 1985. Before Joel and Mike there was Randy and Richard, as I often mention.
My psychotically obsessive research on the show has yielded a lot of info over the years but I have worn out every source I could find.
Even the show’s co-host and co-creator Randy Clower has been bled dry of information on the show by me. Over the years other fans of the show – and a special shout-out goes to “the Cap’n” – have provided info here and there that often led me to concrete source material.
Anyway, here are some movies that we all have general, varied reasons to believe were shown on The Texas 27 Film Vault but I need original broadcast dates, info on comedy sketches or movie ticket give-aways, etc. Episodes aired for 2 and a half hours Saturday nights from 10:30pm to 1:00am in Texas and Oklahoma.
FIEND WITH-OUT A FACE (1958)
The Film: “Thought Monsters” leech into atomic energy, then extract human brains and spinal columns to use as their corporeal forms. This is a Bad Movie Classic remembered largely because of the scenes where the flying brains, sporting antennae, attack their prey, with their spinal cord “tails” streaming along behind them.
Serial Episode: No idea, for now.
Reason for believing it was shown: Some of the Flying Brain Creatures are on the 1987 Texas 27 Film Vault poster. Continue reading
PROFILES IN COURAGE (1964-1965) – This television series took its name from the late President John F. Kennedy’s non-fiction book of that title. Some of the episodes dramatized specific sections of JFK’s book while others depicted what the producers felt were similar instances of political figures facing tough choices. 
Those choices were between following their conscience or following what was best for their political career at the time. 
OSCAR W. UNDERWOOD (Nov 8th, 1964) – Senator Underwood was a top contender for the Democrat presidential nomination in 1924. However, he obeyed his conscience by speaking out against the Ku Klux Klan, one of the Democrat Party’s most powerful forces. 
MARY S. MCDOWELL (Nov 15th, 1964) – Mary McDowell was a New York teacher during World War One. She refused to support the war effort via War Bonds rallies or sign a loyalty oath due to her religious principles as a Quaker. 
And yes, I mean that no matter who the president is or which party they’re from. If lower courts make decisions ordering THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH to cease actions immediately then it should mean that UNTIL THE SUPREME COURT WEIGHS IN ON THE SITUATION the president’s orders stand, not the other way around.
ASTREA – One of the most enigmatic figures from the Silent Film Era. No precise birth or death dates are known. Her surname was supposedly Barbieri but not even that is certain. 
JUSTITIA (1919) – Astrea’s most well-known movie. She plays a prim, ladylike noblewoman who becomes a fiery, two-fisted champion of justice when need be. 
ELEKTROPOLIS (1928) – By Otfrid von Hanstein. Readers are introduced to Fritz, a young German engineer who has been having trouble finding a job. On what turns out to be a lucky Friday the Thirteenth for him, he gets a job offer from a mysterious Mr. Schmidt. 
Joe Namath started life as a Pennsylvania boy. Later in life he became the quarterback for the University of Alabama Crimson Tide under iconic football coach Paul “Bear” Bryant. After college he was signed by the New York Jets for what was then the highest-ever contract for a quarterback. 
NORWOOD (1970) – The stunning sequel to True Grit. Okay, I’m kidding! I couldn’t resist since Norwood came out a year after True Grit, was based on another novel by the author of True Grit and starred Glen Campbell and Kim Darby, also from True Grit. Marguerite Roberts wrote the screenplay for both flicks, too. 
Joe William Namath plays Joe William Reese, a friend of Norwood who sees him become a singing sensation. Also in the strange circle of friends are dwarf actor Billy Curtis and runaway bride Rita (Darby). 
CENTURY CLUB – Teams scoring 100 or more points in Regulation: The DAVIDSON-DAVIE COLLEGE STORM defeated the visiting CLEVELAND COLLEGE YETIS by a score of 104-80 ### Meanwhile, the TERRA STATE TITANS triumphed 108-80 over the OWENS COLLEGE EXPRESS ### And the MARION MILITARY INSTITUTE TIGERS downed the ENTERPRISE STATE BOLL WEEVILS 108-86. 
SEVEN HUNDRED WINS – Coach Brian Peabody of the PIMA COLLEGE AZTECS notched his 700th win in style at the SCOTTSDALE COLLEGE FIGHTING ARTICHOKES (yes, really). At Halftime the Aztecs were clinging to a mere 39-37 edge. From there Pima College left the Fighting Artichokes further and further behind in a 95-71 victory led by Cohenj Gonzales’ 17 points. 
RELAMPAGO (Lightning) 
LLANERA VENGADORA (Plains Avenger) 
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